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Hi all, I have a few of questions concerning safety when modelling.

First of all, do you guys tend to wear masks when you work? Especially during the filing process, with all the plastic particles that can be in the air when filing.

Secondly, I recently bought a set of files with a warning label on the back that said, "this product contains materials known to be toxic and cause cancer in the state of California", if I recall correctly. Is this something to be concerned about/should I return or dispose of the files?

Thank you for your time

I personally don't use masks when I sand or file plastic, but I will apply water to keep the particles from flying around. A bigger sanding/filing job or working with resin would probably be a time for masks though.
As for the files, they'd probably be fine as long as you don't try to eat them. Normal usage shouldn't cause issues.

Generally no. though i probably should.

but "California" labels will say ANYTHING can cause cancer so you cant take that THAT seriously.

But in general if there is going to be a lot of dust flying around you should wear a mask.

 Desubot wrote:
Generally no. though i probably should.

but "California" labels will say ANYTHING can cause cancer so you cant take that THAT seriously.

But in general if there is going to be a lot of dust flying around you should wear a mask.

I was going to object to that comment about California...until I remembered how often I see signs telling me coffee can cause cancer.

I usually scrape and cut as much as possible to avoid making fine dust. With a needle file I don't use a mask. With a dremel, I do.

"this product contains materials known to be toxic and cause cancer in the state of California"
So if you take them across the state line or to Mexico you will be fine?
That is something to look forward too when I go visit my family in LA next year.

I've heard that California is actually the one causing cancer, but that's just what I've heard...

Mask would never hurt, but is not often required. Depends on how careful you want to be. Like mentioned above, bigger jobs with more debris is more of a factor. But sometimes water or good ventilation can solve the issue.

I personally work in a carbide tool grinding shop which is in fact a carcinogen, so I'm already pretty screwed...

I don't wear masks, but probably should. Those particles get in the air, and I'm sure there's plenty that will go right into your lungs and never leave.

I always use goggles with a dremel though, learned the hard way. I was drilling holes to pin a metal mini, and a little drill shaving from the metal flew off and hit me in the eyelid mere mm's away from my eyeball. Wore goggles ever since

A mask is only really needed for filing resins, some of which are toxic as a dust. For any other application, you only need a mask if there's going to be LOTS of dust flying around. A needle file should not be generating that much dust, while a Dremel might.

 Necros wrote:
I don't wear masks, but probably should. Those particles get in the air, and I'm sure there's plenty that will go right into your lungs and never leave.

I always use goggles with a dremel though, learned the hard way. I was drilling holes to pin a metal mini, and a little drill shaving from the metal flew off and hit me in the eyelid mere mm's away from my eyeball. Wore goggles ever since

Ditto. Wear goggles, this has happened to me. I was also wearing normal glasses at the time, so get some glasses/goggles that will completely shield your eyes.

Thanks guys, I think I'll wear a mask just to be safe but this is a huge relief.

 NanoHvirus wrote:
Thanks guys, I think I'll wear a mask just to be safe but this is a huge relief.

A mask is completely unnecessary if you're filing a plastic model. The debris isn't small enough to stay suspended in the air and even if it was the amount is too far too small to do any harm.

You'll breathe more dust and nastiness walking outside to check your mailbox.

On the goggle point, I've tread that dangerous road as well.

Glad I was wearing my glasses at the time, but push too hard on an old Xacto blade and those babys will snap. The old saying "a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp blade" is very true.

 clamclaw wrote:
On the goggle point, I've tread that dangerous road as well.

Glad I was wearing my glasses at the time, but push too hard on an old Xacto blade and those babys will snap. The old saying "a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp blade" is very true.

I took my glasses off when scraping old epoxy off a large model, and a shard of it flew into my eye. I was home-alone and had to basically hold my eye open until my tears floated it out, it was heinous.
So yeah, there's no such thing as too much face protection when dealing with anything model related. Just luck.

I've read that a dust mask or better still a proper breathing apparatus is a requirement for airbrushing to avoid paint particles getting into your lungs, is there any truth to that?

 Minimachine wrote:
I've read that a dust mask or better still a proper breathing apparatus is a requirement for airbrushing to avoid paint particles getting into your lungs, is there any truth to that?

100%. You must wear a respirator unless you spray under an enclosed fume hood.

Wet paint particles arent as bad as dried overspray being disturbed.

Generally, avoid all dust in your lungs, avoid all pointy things in your eyes

I a booth and mask for airbrushing, or spray outside and use a mask. these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0050BQQUW


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000VDPNCQ

I don't wear a mask for working with plastic, which is my preference.
Definitely when filing resin and airbrushing though.

Everything in California gives you cancer.

Back when I was in art school (25 years ago) we had an airbrush class and they never told us to wear masks. I had rainbow colored boogers every day.